Abstract for Research papers as follows:
Japan’s ODA Policy towards Five Mainland Southeast Asian Countries
Abstract
Development assistance is traditionally given by developed countries to developing countries to assist in the recipient country’s economic development, and improve social conditions with the country. Different countries adopt different approaches, depending on the resources available as well as their policy objectives in giving aid. In 1991, when the Japanese government announced the four guidelines of Official Development Assistance (ODA), it pledged to use the foreign aid to promote human rights and democracy. In the history of Japan’s ODA, the bilateral scheme has been predominant: Japan provides a certain country with aid through bilateral negotiation and agreement and with the anticipation that the aid will help socio-economic development in the recipient country. Japan’s ODA is usually divided into two categories: bilateral and multilateral. Bilateral aid on the other hand is the scheme where Japan provides aid to a single recipient country on the basis of the two parties’ negotiation and agreement. Multilateral aid is the scheme within which Japan provides a budget to international or multi-governmental organizations. And the most frequently used classification of bilateral assistance is based on the three types of payment: grants, yen loans, and technical assistance. Tokyo’s foreign aid strategy, ranging from bilateral, sub-regional, to regional assistance plans, successfully secures its political and economic interests in mainland Southeast Asia.
Key words: ODA, foreign policy, ASEAN, human rights
Japan’s Search for Normalcy: Japan’s Policy in Southeast Asia after the Cold War
Abstract
During the Cold War, the main emphasis of Japan’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia was placed on economic diplomacy. However, after the end of the Cold War, her policy in Southeast Asia has gradually shifted to political and security orientated diplomacy. This research argues that the Persian Gulf War crisis of 1990-1991 had been one of the factors that brought about the turning point in Japan’s Southeast Asian foreign policy. During the Gulf War, Japan was greatly criticized for practicing what is called checkbook diplomacy, which means giving only financial support to the war and peace cause without making any human contributions of sending military forces to the Gulf region. From that time onwards, Japan has opened a new chapter in her foreign policy. On 15 June 1992, the Japanese Diet passed The Law Concerning Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping and Other Operations, marking a turning point in Japanese foreign policy. This law was the first manifest in changes to Japan’s Southeast Asian policy, such as the dispatch of Self Defence Force (SDF) to support the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) in Cambodia in 1992. Analyzing Japan’s changing policy, case study design has been applied to examine the specific effects of Japan’s policy change on Southeast Asia after the Cold War. The research points out the fact that Japan has been playing more and more actively in the political and security affairs of the Southeast Asia region but also in other international affairs both within and outside the region.
Key words: foreign policy, proactive, Article IX, UNPKO, SDF, ARF
Japan’s Proactive Role in Myanmar Democratic Transition
Abstract
After the 2010 general elections, Myanmar started to transform from an authoritarian to a semi-democratic government. With the democratic transition process, the new government initiated a series of reforms, including the loosening of political and economic restrictions and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. Following the 2012 by-election, the Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba recognized the election as a notable step in Myanmar’s democratic transition. In May 2013, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid an official visit to Myanmar. It was the first visit of a Japanese prime minister since 1977, signifying Japan’s return to Myanmar after long decades. During Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Myanmar, he expressed his readiness to assist Myanmar government’s efforts for democratization and to improve infrastructure development through Official Development Assistance (ODA). In 2016, Tokyo announced plans to contribute 800 billion yen over five years at public and private levels, based on the “Japan-Myanmar Cooperation Program”, to support Myanmar’s efforts for peace, national reconciliation and economic development. Based on this background, the research question is that why Japan has played such a proactive role in Myanmar’s democratic transition under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Key words: proactive, democratic transition, national reconciliation, economic development, Official Development Assistance (ODA), Indo-Pacific strategy
Refugee Repatriation Issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh
Abstract
This paper aims to study challenges and constraints in refugee repatriation process between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Following the Tatmadaw’s counter-insurgency operation against the terrorist attacks of Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in northern Rakhine State in August 2017, it is reported that more than 700,000 refugees have fled to Bangladesh. Most of refugees have sought shelter in established refugee camps along the border and makeshift camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Although Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed to a procedural framework for repatriation, no Bengali refugees has returned through official channels. On the other hand, it is becoming an increasingly pressing issue among international community as the mass flows of refugees who left Myanmar. The global media and international Human Rights Council reports have focused on the humanitarian situation of displaced people, human rights violations and the legal status of Bengalis in Myanmar. Therefore, Bengali issue has become more complex for a continuous implementation of repatriation process. At present, the repatriation process between Myanmar and Bangladesh has virtually stagnated. Upon this background, this paper argues that it is crucial that the Governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh commit themselves not only to any voluntary return and safe of refugees but also to the positive steps that will be required to ensure their implementation of repatriation process.
Key words: repatriation, MoU, responses, citizenship, third party, challenges
Myanmar’s Political Reforms: Its Impacts and Implications for Myanmar-China Relations
Abstract
Since President U Thein Sein took office on 30 March 2011, his government carried out a series of reforms: political reform, socio-economic reform, and administrative reform. Under the political reform, the new government opened new space for political oppositions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that had been allowed to form and participate in political, economic and social development. On 30 September 2011, President U Thein Sein announced that his government decided to suspend the construction of Myitsone dam in accordance with the wishes of Myanmar people. It also called for an investigation of the Latpadaung Copper Mine project which finally led to a renegotiation for better terms and conditions in favour of Myanmar. This research paper analyzes that although Myanmar has been on friendly relations with China since 1988, the relationship between Myanmar and China has little strains after suspending the largest Chinese investment in the Myintsone dam project in 2011. It is found that the political reform in Myanmar since 2011 have generated unexpected impacts on Chinese investments in Myanmar and implications for bilateral relations, as well as complicated China’s policy towards Myanmar.
Key words: political reform, public opinion, rapprochement, bilateral relations
